September 27th, 2020. 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mt 21, 28-32
This Sunday’s Gospel places us before Jesus, who has come to Jerusalem in his last days. The tension and discussions with the high priests and religious authorities are increasing. He has expelled the vendors from the Temple and told parables denouncing the attitude of the Chosen People. Today he tells them another parable: the father who sends his two sons to work in the vineyard. The first one says that he will not go, but then he goes. And the second, who says yes, but then does not go.
Jesus accuses the leaders of Israel of hypocrisy, of not supporting with actions what they say with words. Of not having listened to those sent by God. That is why others, considered “bad” go ahead into the Kingdom of God.
It is Word that also challenges us today. We are not consistent with our Christian commitment. It is easy for us to speak, to say, to promise, but difficult and complicated to do what we say. Do these words of Jesus affect me? To what extent am I also a hypocrite? St. Paul asks us to have within us the feelings proper to a life in Christ.
“The publicans and the prostitutes are ahead of you on the way to the Kingdom of God,” Jesus tells us. But today also the prophet Ezekiel makes it clear that God gives us another chance to work in his vineyard.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
